'Radioactive shrimp': Cancer-causing element found in imports sparks FDA recalls

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- The Food and Drug Administration issued two recalls for shrimp exposed to a cancer-causing element.

The FDA says an investigation is underway after it found radioactive element Cesium-137 inside shipping containers and shrimp products from Indonesia. It says it was processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati or BMS Foods.

Local shrimpers say this is yet another example of why consumers should buy local and not imported shrimp.

"Up until recently, we hadn't had this issue with what seems like so much contaminated seafood coming across borders," shrimper Charlie Werner said.

The FDA says the shrimp may have become contaminated after it was prepared, packed or held in unsanitary conditions. The recall includes 18,000 bags of Kroger Mercado cooked medium peeled